"Click…"

Flowers…and perfume.

Yep, Cat and Jade were here.

I close the door as quietly as possible. The strength of the perfume makes me think they're still here.

I pick up my roller luggage and place it in the foyer.

It's 9 AM but I'm creeping around like its 5. I don't want to wake either of them up. Both of them are big fans of their beauty sleep.

I eventually make my way up to the spare bedroom, where 'Camp Cat' once resided.

I miss having Cat so close to me. Of course, she was closer as of two weeks ago back in Santa Barbara, but you get the point. We breathed the same air, basically were a couple again except for physical aspects.

I'll never admit to it, but I wish Cat was mine again. That brief half second when we had graduated and were relaxing at home, her using me as her pillow without a care in the world? I miss that more than I can say.

Wait…that's Jade.

Unless she undyed her hair again. If so I might have to take out Alex.

I sneak into my bedroom to find Cat cuddling the spare pillow.

Some things never change.

Cat's wearing a loose tank top, and I can't tell the bottoms, but is fast asleep. She looks completely at peace, like the crap that has happened to her simply disappeared.

I blink and realize I've subconsciously moved so I can see her face once I brush the hair out of her eyes.

So cute.

Cute enough to kiss, for sure.

No…Robbie, slow your roll. You aren't that guy. She has a boyfriend.

So? It would only be on the cheek, and she'll never know! And unfortunately I am already that guy. I've already kissed her when she had a bf before.

I glance at Cat, eyes closed with no discernible expression on her face.

It felt like forever, but I gave her a chaste kiss and whispered 'Sleep Well' before standing back up and creeping back to Jade.

Unfortunately, I loosened up too much and sat down too hard on Jade's bed, causing her to stir immediately.

"Robbie?" She asked sleepily, sitting up.

"Sorry. Didn't mean to wake you up." I whispered.

"It's ok, I'm glad to see you." She yawned, pulling me into a hug. "What time is it?"

"9:30. I got back like 30 seconds ago. Why is Cat in my room?"

"She asked for it by BS-ing an excuse about the hot water heater."

"Odd." I said, stepping up to shut the door. I don't want to wake Cat too. I doubt she'll be so kind as Jade.

"Eh, she missed you terribly. Trying to figure out where you stand in this new Alex world."

"Ahh." I simply said.

"Can you come lie with me? I'm cold." She whispered, scooting closer to me. Clearly she wants me to lie on the other side.

I answered by kicking off my shoes and slipping under the covers next to her.

"Ahh, you're warm. I'm sick and tired of this depressing weather." Jade said, curling up to me.

Odd she says she's cold, I can feel her legs thru my jeans.

"Did it get any better while I was in Seattle?"

"Nah, it did the opposite." She replied.

"So…worse." I deadpanned.

"Smartass." She shot at me, rolling her eyes.

"You'll have to deal with it."

"Only because you're cute." She conceded.

"Cute huh?"

"Yeah, I said it, you're cute."

"I like it, say it again." I smiled, looking over at her.

"You're hot."

"That's not what you said."

"It's a fact." She smiled.

"Which is it? Cute or hot."

"Hot."

"Ok, when did this start happening?" I asked, with a smirk.

"It's been coming on for a while…it just kind of hit me last year."

"When we slept together?"

"Uh huh." She nodded.

For whatever reason, I impulsively slipped my hand under her shirt. I barely heard her gasp before I started massaging her stomach.

Then I swear she started to purr.

"You know, if any other dude on earth does that, they die. You know that right?"

"I know." I said, picking up the pace and causing her to squirm.

"Robbie…"

"What?"

"You know what's coming if you keep that up."

I do. And I don't know whether it's the awesome feeling of being so close to her or having my hand on her bare skin but I doubt I'll stop.

"So? It's my house."

"Robbie…I won't be able to hold back."

I took my hand higher and brushed the skin directly under her bra.

"Ohh…god. I'm dead serious dude."

"I am too…" I started massaging again.

"Fuck it…" She growled, climbing on top of me and attacking my lips while at the same time starting grinding her hips. I met her stride for stride.

"Oh god…" She breathed and we momentarily separated before she began again with fervor.

We kept at it until finally she seemed to realize any farther and we wouldn't be able to backtrack. And we collapsed, gasping.

"It's sounds bad…but god I needed that. So, so bad." She moaned.

I kept quiet.

"Why'd you provoke me?" She asked.

"I'm not sure, but once I started I didn't want to stop." I admitted.

She smiled and threw off her tank top. "Lucky bastard. What other guy has a girl that he can instantly make horny just by massaging her?"

Alex.

No. Don't let her ruin this too.

"Hey Robbie?" Jade asked, looking up at me with her 'can you keep a secret?' face.

"One night this week I want to come over."

And not fall asleep.

Sounds fun.

"Sure, have a preference when?"

She lifted herself to whisper in my ear.

"The sooner the better."

"Fine by me." I said, trying to sound indifferent. Jade simply rolled her eyes.

"So…try to top this one in terms of awkward transition sentences. How are you and Beck coming?"

She burst out laughing, way too loud for comfort.

"We're coming along ok I guess…too slow for my liking but you know how that goes."

I may be paranoid, but I think I just heard Cat get up. I barely heard a "thump".

"Cat's up." I say, diving behind the bed.

"What?" Jade gasped, moments before the door swung open.

"I heard voices, are you ok?"

Cat.

I knew it.

"Yeah, fine. Voices?"

"Yeah, one of them sounded like Robbie."

"I just got off the phone with him. He's getting in later today."

JADE!

Now that has to be the worst lie in the last 30 years! I'm behind the freaking bed! Yeah, I don't want her to know that right now, but still! Now I have to sneak out of my own house!

"Ahh. Any idea why I heard a deep voice right before you laughed really loud?" Cat asked, bending down to check under the bed. For me I assume.

I'm screwed. Even if she misses me behind the bed all she has to do is look down and she'll find my shoes from this morning.

I glance down, expecting to see Cat, but instead see a huge box.

When did that get there?

Oh wait…that's Tori's.

So I just made out with Jade, on top of a box of Tori's stuff while I like Cat, while Jade likes Beck. Cat is dating Alex and has already fucked him all the while being confused about where she stands with me.

Excuse me while I spin my head 360 degrees multiple times.

.

Ok, now I'm better.

"No."

"Any idea why my cheek was wet when I woke up?" She randomly threw out there.

"No, haven't been out of this room Cat."

"Where did these come from?" Cat asked, holding up my shoes.

I'm busted.

"Oh, I borrowed those from your room last night. And a cigarette. And your lighter. Hope you don't mind."

Wait…she's still smoking? They're BOTH smoking?

"JADE!" Cat howled.

"No need to shout." Jade said in a calm voice.

"Why'd you do that?"

"I could ask the same thing." Jade shot back.

"Are you getting back at me for the other night? I'm sorry ok?"

"Fine. Are we done?" Cat snapped.

"I guess so."

SLAM!

I poked my head up to see Jade standing by the bed and the door shut tight.

"DAMN IT!" came from the hallway.

All I could do was looked afraid and confused.

"That was weird." Jade said simply.

"SLAM!" Another door shut violently. I assume it's my door.

"So I'm getting back tonight huh?" I asked, sarcasm lacing my voice.

"I'm sorry." She immediately whined. "I panicked."

"Can you distract her while I sneak out of here?"

"Sure. Tell me when."

I moved to her side of the room and looked for my shoes.

"Where are my shoes?"

"Uhh…Cat had them in her hand…" Jade said, spinning around.

"Did she put them down?"

…

"I don't think so."

"Crap! Now I don't have shoes!"

Now where am I going? I was planning on chilling in downtown.

"Damn it!" Jade said.

My parents. I need to say hi.

That's my out.

I can duck their awkward questions.

"I got it! You just distract Cat and let me escape. Don't worry about me."

"But your shoes?" She looked confused, and slightly worried.

"Don't worry. I'll tell you later. Go!"

Jade quickly proceeded out of the room and towards mine. I stuck close to the door and waited for her to shut the door and I would make my break for it.

"Click."

I sprinted down the stairs, not my smartest move but I made it and scrambled out the door and to my car. I peeled out and was out of sight in less than 2 minutes.

Whoa…these pedals feels weird in just your socks.

Never knew that before. But then again, when have I had a reason to drive without shoes?

It didn't take long for me to get to my parents.

Once on the porch, I sarcastically knocked on the door, in plain view of both of them loitering in the kitchen.

Mom quickly came to the door and threw it open. "Robbie!"

"Hi mom. How have you guys been?" I breathed out, as she hugged me.

"Good good, c'mon in!" She pulled me in.

"Hey Robbie." Dad smiled. "How was Seattle?"

"Fun, I think I should have gone earlier." I admitted, as he pulled me into a hug.

"Where are your shoes?"

Thanks mom. Totally ruined the moment.

Dad let go of me, glanced at my feet and gave me the weirdest look.

"At home. It's a long story."

"Ok…explain?" She asked.

"Jade accidentally said I was getting in later today when I was hiding in the guest room."

"To who?" Dad asked.

"Cat."

This sounds terrible.

"Why?"

"Even longer story."

"This isn't some weird new trend is it?' Dad asked, still giving me his weird look.

"No Dad."

"You aren't rebelling against something are you?" Mom asked, sounding scared.

"No mom…I'm perfectly law abiding and happy. I just left my shoes at home on accident."

"Ok…" Dad said.

"Whatever you say. Are you hungry?" Mom asked.

"Of course, are you cooking?" I asked.

"Yep." She smiled, moving back to the stove.

"Then I'm extra hungry." I replied, cueing up laughs from everyone.

Mom ended up cooking a monstrous breakfast that left me completely stuffed before putting me to work on various household chores that she couldn't do and that Dad weaseled himself out of for the entire day.

"Ok, are we done now?" I asked, heaving the last box into my room, next to Cat's remaining clothes. Which actually is quite a lot.

"Yeah. Thanks Robbie." Mom smiled.

"Can I borrow some shoes? I'm gonna go home and collapse." I breathed.

God, I'm exhausted. Only here can I go from relaxed to personal mover in 20 minutes. Oh well, they're my parents. I love them.

Mom giggled. "Sure."

Actually, I didn't go straight home. I stopped by Chuy's and said hi to Paul, grabbing a Large Nacho along the way before FINALLY making it back home at 9 PM.

I went straight to bed, with nothing but dust accompanying me. I was almost asleep, not a thought until I smelled something I haven't smelled in a LOOOONG time. So long in fact, it took me a moment to recognize it.

Cat.

Not her strawberry perfume, but her. Her "smell" for lack of a better term.

Now this is gonna be a looong night…

So much for catching up on some sleep.